Of Related Interest

Terrorism, Freedom, and Security

Overview

On September 11, 2001, the United States began to consider the terrorist threat in a new light. Terrorism was no longer something that happened in other countries on other continents but became a pressing domestic concern for the US government and American citizens. The nation suddenly faced a protracted struggle.

In Terrorism, Freedom, and Security, Philip Heymann continues the discussion of responses to terrorism that he began in his widely read Terrorism and America. He argues that diplomacy, intelligence, and international law should play a larger role than military action in our counterterrorism policy; instead of waging "war" against terrorism, the United States needs a broader range of policies. Heymann believes that many of the policies adopted since September 11—including trials before military tribunals, secret detentions, and the subcontracting of interrogation to countries where torture is routine—are at odds with American political and legal traditions and create disturbing precedents. Americans should not be expected to accept apparently indefinite infringements on civil liberties and the abandonment of such constitutional principles as separation of powers and the rule of law. Heymann believes that the United States can guard against the continuing threat of terrorism while keeping its traditional democratic values in place.

About the Author

Philip B. Heymann is James Barr Ames Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and a former Deputy Attorney General of the United States. He is author of Terrorism, Freedom, and Security (2003) and Preserving Liberty in an Age of Terror (2005), both published by the MIT Press.

Reviews

"This book is a judicious and systematic guide to the various policy options at each stage of counterterrorism." Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs

"Philip Heymann's book stands out for its restrained authority and measured judgement." Anthony Dworkin, Survival

"...[A] persuasive argument for the kind of multilateral approach to fighting terrorism for which the Bush administration has shown...disdain." Ethan Bronner, The New York Times Book Review

"Heymann's indictment of the Bush administration's political irresponsibility is thus all the more compelling because of its dispassionate, precise articulation." Michael Stern,The American Lawyer

"Philip B. Heymann may rightly count among the foremost experts on counterterrorism policy in the United States." Mathieu Deflem, Law & Politics Book Review

"The legal and political analysis is sound."—Publisher's Weekly

Endorsements

"Philip Heymann has shown again in Terrorism, Freedom, and Security why he is one of the leading thinkers in the world on the subject of terrorism. In this brief but extraordinary book, he has laid out the old and the new, the problems and the pitfalls, the challenges and the opportunities. He has given us a sober and broad set of responses, but clearly pointed out that there are no silver bullets. And most importantly, he has reminded us that we must not forfeit our democratic values in defense of our democracy."
—Rand Beers, former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Combating Terrorism, National Security Council, 2002-2003

"This well-researched and well-written book exposes the hypocrisy and deception that lie behind the reversal of the 'no dual use' nonproliferation policy, a reversal likely to diminish long-term prospects for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons throughout the world."
—Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force on Nonproliferation

"Terrorism, Freedom, and Security presents a powerful argument that not only explains why declaring a 'war' on terrorism was unwise but also presents a compelling case for relying on intelligence and law enforcement rather than military force and coercion. Phil Heymann is unequivocal in his defense of democratic values as the core of an effective American national policy for preventing terrorism. His book, grounded in knowledge of American policy as well as the experiences of other countries, is an essential foundation for the public debate we must have about the costs and benefits of alternative strategies for combating terrorism."
—Martha Crenshaw, Colin and Nancy Campbell Professor of Global Issues and Democratic Thought, Wesleyan University

"Professor Heymann's cool-headed and incisive analysis offers sane and sensible guidelines for coping with terrorism without losing the cherished principles of a democratic society. This book is must reading for decision makers and the general public alike."
—Ariel Merari, Head of the Political Violence Research Unit, Tel Aviv University

"This unusually pragmatic approach to combating terrorism comes from a leading, internationally recognized expert in and teacher of criminal law. I recommend it highly to those involved or interested in the fight against this scourge which so deeply affects our lives and freedom. Its clear style will appeal to lay and professional readers."
—Richard Goldstone, Justice, Constitutional Court of South Africa, and Chairperson, International Bar Association International Task Force on Terrorism

"Philip Heymann demonstrates that while states are improving their own mechanisms to control terrorism, adequate security in the future depends on a far broader range of measures requiring shared goals, popular support, international cooperation, and new global institutions."
—Luis Moreno Ocampo, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court